Student work on parade at fashion show
Wintec students excited to showcase their designs at the annual fashion event to be held on Alexandra Street
Alexandra Street is set to echo with the sound of stiletto heels when the School of Media Arts stages its annual fashion show on November 22.
As the show draws near, Programme Manager for Fashion Design, Julie Ashby, admits, “at this time of year we’re always nervous”.
It is not surprising given that Ashby is intent on doing something new for each show.
This year is no exception. Alexandra Street will be closed to traffic and models will strut the ‘runway’ to showcase the work of students enrolled in the Diploma in Fashion Design.
The show will start at 5.30pm under a marquee. Although ticket holders will be able to sit in comfort to watch the show, the street will remain open to pedestrian traffic so the public can also watch the show.
Ashby says the decision to hold the Wintec fashion show in the street made sense.
“We want to celebrate that Wintec is in Alexandra Street – that Wintec is in the city.”
The event is a huge undertaking that requires careful management. Every year the show draws on the expertise of students from across Wintec, including hair and beauty, music, photography, and communication.
The show provides students with an opportunity to gain valuable real-world experience and expand their portfolio of work. It also gives fashion students experience working with other professionals.
Ashby says the key to making sure everything runs smoothly is communication and preparation.
“We always try to do things in advance, but there are certain things that just can’t happen with advance planning.”
But, even though there are always last minute challenges, “it always turns out right on the night,” Ashby says.
Producing garments for the show is a huge undertaking for the students too. This year’s inspirational theme for first year students is the year 1864, in recognition of Hamilton’s 150th birthday that will also be celebrated in the city centre on the day.
The pressure for second year students is even greater. Although not constrained by theme, second year students are required to produce an entire collection of three to five ‘looks’, and no one is guaranteed a spot on the runway.
Ashby is committed to producing a professional event, so all students must reach a level of quality before they are allowed to show. “We’re very conscious that the best quality work goes out,” Ashby says.
With participants still to be finalised, there is a sense of uncertainty in the workroom. “I’m excited. I’m nervous, as it’s still unfinished. But altogether I’m excited to see all the collections being put together and finalised. And it should be fun down on Alexandra Street. It’s a really cool location,” says student Madeleine Schulz.
Second year student Ari Brown says the Hamilton event generates valuable exposure for students that they might not get in larger centres. “It’s nice to start a movement here,” says Brown. “It’s huge when people start liking my aesthetic, my designs, my concepts.”
Former Wintec fashion student, Mitchell Vincenthas reaped the benefits from the exposure of the fashion show, appearing at New Zealand Fashion Week and he is now working on his collection here in Hamilton.
With awards for the most promising first and second year students up for grabs, you would think there might be conflict behind the scenes, but Wintec students are really supportive of each other, says Brown.
“Our designs are totally different, so the only competition is myself.”
